XTVA question

[aleckrohto]

Looking to purchase an XTVA for my car. Have a few questions about it. First off all, my current setup is having my XTS5000 connected directly to an NMO antenna on top of my car. Am I destroying my antenna/XTS 5000 by doing it that way (I only RX with it)? Now back to the main topic, when looking to buy an XTVA, do they come in various different frequency bands or will it work on all bands since I have a VHF & UHF R2 5K and would like to use both in the XTVA. My next question is, do you have to have the RF adapter for the XTVA when using it or can you go without buying one?

 

[K2NEC]

No you aren't destroying your antenna by receiving with the XTS.

No they are not frequency specific.

Yes you need an RF Adapter Part #: NTN8327

 

[Mr_Boh]

XTVAs are only bound to specific frequencies if you have an amplifier. That's why you may see listings that call out a specific frequency, most commonly 7/800 since there were a lot of XTVAs sold with the amplifier. But even if you bought one of those and wanted to do VHF or UHF, you could just remove the amplifier, especially since you say RX only.

 

[mmckenna]

Constantly removing the antenna on your radio to connect to the external antenna will accelerate possible failures. Plus, putting the extra strain on the antenna connector with the coax can cause some failures. Really depends on how careful you are. Usually connectors are only rated for a certain number of cycles. I doubt that'll be an issue for you, though.

As Mr_Boh said, the amplifier bricks are frequency specific, but if all you are doing is receiving, just connect the antenna directly to the MTVA cradle.

 

[aleckrohto]

Constantly removing the antenna on your radio to connect to the external antenna will accelerate possible failures. Plus, putting the extra strain on the antenna connector with the coax can cause some failures. Really depends on how careful you are. Usually connectors are only rated for a certain number of cycles. I doubt that'll be an issue for you, though.

As Mr_Boh said, the amplifier bricks are frequency specific, but if all you are doing is receiving, just connect the antenna directly to the MTVA cradle.

How do I know whether a failure is occurring or about to occur, are there some signs?

 

[mmckenna]

How do I know whether a failure is occurring or about to occur, are there some signs?

Radio stops receiving, antenna jack is loose, etc. Shouldn't be a problem with occasion swapping of the antenna, but if you plan on doing it every day, you'd be better off with the XTVA, or better yet, a mobile radio.

 

[CCHLLM]

Get an XTVA model with F or G as the last character in the model number and it will have IMPRES battery charging and maintenance capabilities.

Also note that battery charging rates vary according to battery chemistry, battery temperature, battery condition, and ambient temperature. The charger will sense those factors and will adjust charging rates according to its programmed parameters.

In really cold or hot conditions, the charger may be slow to charge the battery, or it may not allow charging to take place until conditions fall into the appropriate charging ranges. It is best not to leave the portable in the XTVA under those undesirable conditions, especially heat, when you're not in the car. If it's too hot to sit in the car, you can bet the battery, the XTVA, and the radio won't like it either.

 

[aleckrohto]

Bumping this thread with another question about the XTVA, could I use this a HSN4038 speaker with it, would it work for the XTVA? Another question is about the HHCM (PLN7737B). Do I have to have a programming cable for it, or does it work right out of the box. In other words, do I have to buy another programing cable specifically for the XTVA to be able to use the mic.

 

[marcotor]

Bumping this thread with another question about the XTVA, could I use this a HSN4038 speaker with it, would it work for the XTVA? Another question is about the HHCM (PLN7737B). Do I have to have a programming cable for it, or does it work right out of the box. In other words, do I have to buy another programing cable specifically for the XTVA to be able to use the mic.

The XTVA provides an amplified signal for the speaker, and the one you referenced is not compatible. You might make it work, but you would loose any advantages of the amplifier. As far as programming, the HHCH features are programmed in CPS, independent of the control head.
No extra cables required, unless you want to program the radio while it is in the XTVA.

 

[EasternMassScanFan]

The XTVA provides an amplified signal for the speaker, and the one you referenced is not compatible. You might make it work, but you would loose any advantages of the amplifier. As far as programming, the HHCH features are programmed in CPS, independent of the control head.
No extra cables required, unless you want to program the radio while it is in the XTVA.

Got it, thanks!